Raquel - Me
Agent Smith - Scammer
Barrister Sunshine - Scammer
Mr. Oro - Scammer
Godwin - Scammer
Mr. Hall - Scammer
International Monitoring Fund - Scammer
Godwin #2 - Scammer
Mr. Eastley / David - Scammer
Mr. Powers - Scammer
Agent Anderson - Scammer
The Chapters
I. Red Pill or Blue Pill
II. Attack of the Baby Lawyer
III. CAPSLOCK
IV. He Wants To Believe
V. The Scam That Never Happend
VI. Totally Innocent (Romance Scam)
VII. Broken Lense ("Romance Scam")
VIII. Matrix Reloaded
The Story
A few weeks ago, Raquel was contacted by some high-ranking banker from Nigeria. Yes, the high-ranking banker from Nigeria! But she did not care too much about the promised millions, because what is money when she just found the love of her life? Right.
The banker turned back to his banking stuff (after I got 3 or 4 bank accounts outta him, of course) and a few weeks passed until one sunny morning she found a message from FBI Special Agent Scott Smith in the mail app of her phone. In it, the agent informed her about a nasty scammer from Nigeria who had recently tried to cheat her out of her hard-earned money! And that he, Agent Smith, was sent all the way down to Nigeria in order to adequately compensate all victims of this attempted fraud!
Raquel was deeply shocked and replied...
[July 2nd, 2020]
Raquel wrote:Dear Mr. Smith,
Thank you very much for your email!
I am very aware that a few days ago I was contacted by someone who promised me an absurdly large sum of money. At first I did not realize that this was an attempt to defraud, but fortunately a friend of mine alerted me to it and I did not go into it any further.
You have written that you attached your identification documents to your email. However, you apparently forgot to do so before sending it, because there are no ID documents attached. Would you please send me the documents in question so that I know with whom I am communicating? Thanks a lot!
I wish you a pleasant stay in Nigeria and a good night!
Raquel
[July 3rd, 2020]
Agent Smith wrote:Dear Raquel,
Good morning,I just received your email and as a matter of urgency,you are required by the bank to reconfirm your full contact information..Your contact address,phone number,age as well as your occupation. I would like to submit it as urgent as possible in order to enable them commence with the processing of your fund for the transfer.
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:Dear Mr. Smith,
Thank you very much for your email!
I am very aware that a few days ago I was contacted by someone who promised me an absurdly large sum of money. At first I did not realize that this was an attempt to defraud, but fortunately a friend of mine alerted me to it and I did not go into it any further.
You have written that you attached your identification documents to this email. However, you apparently forgot to do so before sending it, because there are no ID documents attached. Would you please send me the documents in question so that I know with whom I am communicating? Thanks a lot!
I wish you a pleasant stay in Nigeria and a good night!
Raquel
Of course, our naive Raquel sent him the requested information, and once again asked for his ID.Agent Smith wrote:Dear Raquel,
Good morning,I just received your email and as a matter of urgency,you are required by the bank to reconfirm your full contact information..Your contact address,phone number,age as well as your occupation. I would like to submit it as urgent as possible in order to enable them commence with the processing of your fund for the transfer.
Regards
Agent Smith
Agent Smith wrote:Dear Raquel,,
Greetings once again, I have submitted your contact information with the bank.Bank has commenced fully in processing of your fund and they requested you send your account detailed information where the fund shall be transferred to then,there is another alternative bank informed me again and I would like to share that idea and if you love that we can commence with that.
There is another means of getting this fund to you as bank discussed with me this morning and that is delivering the fund direct to you door step but the good thing there is that,I shall accompany the bank Diplomat to arrive in your house for the delivery to make sure there is no hitches.
These two ideas are good but it is left for you to make a choice either you go for bank to bank transfer or,you allow I and the Diplomat to make a home delivery.
Then, in these two options,an attorney MUST be hired here in other to secured all the legal documents required for delivery and the transfer.Though,I have discussed with the one of the attorneys here and I'm waiting to know your decision in regards to these two options so that I will inform bank about your decision.
Do get back to me asap.
Agent Smith
That's what got him "off script":Raquel wrote:Dear Mr. Smith,
Thanks for your quick reply.
You still haven't attached a photo of your ID yet.
Have a nice day,
Raquel
Agent Smith wrote:Please, that will be done on the point of meeting you in person. We are coming to your resident for this delivery and to avoid internet theft, I can't send my ID again because our office has instructed to us this morning to stop it but we shall meet face to face at the point of delivery
Raquel wrote:But Sir, you must be able to identify yourself somehow, except with a tiny graphic of an ID card?!
Agent Smith wrote:Please Raquel, I can't go contrary to the instructions given to us and if you feel that you can't continue, please do let me know so that I will inform the bank for cancellation.
Raquel wrote:Would it be possible to provide some more details about the attempted scam?
Agent Smith wrote:The fraud case were for the people swindled by Nigeria government and their politicians without releasing their funds to them. We came and saw your name on their file that tagged inheritance/ Contract fund and that is why I contacted you
Agent Smith wrote:Can you come clear please..there are names of the people arrested for this illicit act but your name is for the beneficiary of the fund
Raquel wrote:So... what do you want from me now?!
Agent Smith wrote:What bank required to hear from you right now is either if you prefer bank to bank transfer or, do you prefer Diplomatic delivery means which is, I and the bank Diplomat will come for the delivery of the fund to your resident.
Raquel wrote:What bank is this? Which bank would the transfer come from?
Agent Smith wrote:From Central Bank of Nigeria
Raquel wrote:Oh, what a coincidence! I have a good friend in Nigeria. He lives in Lagos. Could he receive the compensation in my place? Would that be possible?
Agent Smith wrote:I'm sorry, we don't work with any Nigeria in regards to this transaction
Two days passed...Raquel wrote:Why can't I send my friend over to settle the matter for me? I would provide him with a POA and all! That would save you some trouble too!
[July 5th, 2020]
Raquel wrote:Any update, sir?
Agent Smith wrote:Raquel,
Good afternoon, I have earlier told you the way we operate here and there is no way we are going to work with any Nigerian here because we can't trust anyone. If you have your time come down here in person but if you can't,allow bank to do their job or they will cancel the process.
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:Alright... I would prefer the "diplomatic delivery" option then. Please tell me about it!
Agent Smith wrote:I got your message and per your request for diplomatic delivery,I will inform bank tomorrow so that they will commence with the process and I will update tomorrow in regards to that.
Regards
Agent Scott Smith
Raquel wrote:Thank you, sir! But please tell me, why hasn't the bank contacted me in the first place?!
Agent Smith wrote:Please Raquel, there is something I would like to tell you, we have our good reason why we are handling this directly and I will explain everything to you when we come for the delivery. The bank here and the politicians have been busy swindling these funds and as we are dealing with them directly is the best we can do here if not, they will come up with their illicit way and none of you will get a cent from here.
Before we about coming for the delivery of your fund,bank will call and write you too. So, please,we know what we are doing here and that is why we ask some of the Beneficiaries to come down here and see things by themselves.
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:Do many beneficiaries come down to Nigeria?
Agent Smith wrote:Yes,like we have 12 from US, others from both Canada and Europe and they came before the outbreak of covid.
Raquel wrote:My specific case was not sooo long ago, I guess. Just a few weeks, maybe a month. And yes, I am aware that because of the Covid-19 thing, I can't come to Nigeria right now, even if I wanted to.
I have, as indicated in one of my previous emails, a good friend there that I wanted to visit this summer, but it didn't work out because of the pandemic. It's sad, you know..
Agent Smith wrote:Raquel,
I don't know why you don't want to listen to the simple truth. That person you claimed to be your friend,have you met him one on one? Majority of them are not whom they claimed they are and that is why we are not working with any of them. Many of them here are fake and we can't trust any of them with such a fund. You must abide by our rules and ethics unless I will stop communicating with you.
You will be surprised that the person you claimed to be your friend is fake and I know you must have met him or her through internet.. please,forget this and let us proceed.
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:What do you mean, fake? Why do you think my friend is a fake, sir?! I met him online a few months ago, we did some calls and all. He's a nice and honest man from Lagos. So... what are you talking about? I trust him 100 percent, and yes, if you would allow me to, I would send him to settle things for me with the bank!
Of course we can do it your way too, sir. It's just... I mean... you're very rude!
Agent Smith wrote:Please, I don't know where I was rude in explaining things to you and I can see that spending much time explaining things to you has gotten to another thing. I was telling you that the people you know down here are not all that good and please, if you come up with this talk again,I will block you and you can get to me again.
[July 6th, 2020]
Raquel wrote:Good morning, Mr. Smith,
First, if you would block me, how am I supposed to "get to you again", sir?!
Second, I do not intend to "come up with this talk again". I just wanted to explain to you how it is. I'm sorry! Let us proceed!
You've informed the bank about everything, right?
Raquel
Agent Smith wrote:Hello Raquel [Butchered Last Name],
I will get back to you shortly,I'm with the bank right now.
Regards
Agent Smith
...and around six hours later...Raquel wrote:Alright.
Raquel wrote:Dear Mr. Smith,
I hope you have good news for me?
Raquel
Yeah, I'm sure you are...Agent Smith wrote:Please hold on,I'm still with the bank
Raquel wrote:Dear Mr. Smith,
Just a little heads-up: My name is Raquel [Correctly Spelled Last Name]! Not Raquel [Butchered], Raquel [Incredibly Butchered] or [Insanely Butchered]. It's Raquel [Censored]!
Not that the whole thing fails in the end because of a misspelled name, you know.
Raquel
Agent Smith wrote:Dear Raquel [Correctly Spelled Last Name],
Thanks for your email and also the correction. I have just concluded with the bank and they have approved the delivery of your fund to your resident. There is a PROOF OF OWNERSHIP document released by the bank for you to sign and return and I will return it back for submission and I will send it to you in the next few hours.
Lastly, bank said that you should hire an acreditted attorney down here who will stand as your proxy to handle some of the legal matters with them on your behalf. It is necessary that the attorney is hired because,we can't just make any move without a proper documentation.
There are acreditted attorney I have just spoken with and if you require his contact, I will send it across to you.
The delivery is taking place on the 15th of July and so, we need to get everything ready before the delivery date ok.
Regards
Agent Smith
Agent Smith wrote:Please sign attached document
[July 7th, 2020]
Raquel wrote:Dear Mr. Smith,
How do you want me to sign the document? It's a virtual one after all!
Raquel
Agent Smith wrote:If you print it out, you sign it and scan it back. That is what other beneficiaries did.
Raquel wrote:Well, you know the thing is... I don't own a printer. That's old tech which isn't very eco-friendly!
Agent Smith wrote:Ok, that means the attorney I told you to hire here will handle that if you feel you can continue.
Raquel, this exercise has been grouped batch by batch and if bank conclude attending to your own batch ,there is no way they will come back to you. I don't want to waste your time or mine,if you feel you can't continue,let me face other beneficiaries here because we have a lot to do here.
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:It would all be a lot less complicated if you would just let my friend from Lagos handle it for me. But for some reason that doesn't seem possible. I already talked to him and he promised me to hire a lawyer who could handle the transaction and all.
Maybe some of us are really as racist as you hear in the news these days...
Raquel wrote:Oh, and btw: I think, as an official US government agent, you Mr. Smith should show a little more cultural sensitivity considering the recent events!
Agent Smith wrote:You are entitled to your own opinion and let me remind you for record purposes. Do not say I did not warned you for this, we and the bank here will never accept anybody as a lawyer to take part in this exercise. Federal government here have shown to us an acreditted attorneys that will work with us here. If this friend of yours collect money from you in the name of hiring lawyer for you, you are doomed and a waste of time because, we will not accept that and he can't be allowed in..
Lastly, I'm not a racist, that statement you made was an understatement which is uncalled for. I only explained to you what is happening here concerning impostors and their impersonations. You need to understand any of my writings with wisdom. Bye
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:Why the f*ck you're thinking my friend is an imposter?! I don't get it...
Agent Smith wrote:Listen, I never mentioned to you that your friend is an impostor, I didn't say that and I will not say that. My talk is very clear that, we can not work with anybody called attorney unless the acreditted attorneys the federal government assigned here and that is final.
Raquel wrote:Mr. Smith, even if we'd proceed now... there still is the problem that as an ecologically minded woman, I simply do not own anything like a printer. I don't print out half of the Internet, but I have my laptop with a wonderful screen to look at it!
Of course I still want the whole matter to be sorted out. Though unfortunately, you are confronting me with a big problem with the required signature. So... would it be possible for you to send me the document so that I can sign it and then send it back to you?
Raquel wrote:And by "send" I mean... by mail.
Agent Smith wrote:This is the essence of hiring the attorney, if you can't print and sign,your attorney here will handle it on your behalf and then we proceed. Do you know that we have other beneficiaries who came down here before the outbreak of Covid 19 and they still hire their attorneys for the job.
Please Raquel listen, I want to talk to you heart to heart so that you will understand my own point of view. We rejected some of things here due to arrest we made and confession we heard. These people and their politicians are corrupt. Do you know that all these funds including yours were supposed to have transferred to you since last year but, the government here and their politicians are busy using the funds for their elections and campaigns. We did not come here to hurt you but to make sure these funds are released to the various owners.
I'm from a Jewish family and I don't differentiate white and black. We are here and we have seen a lot and that is why I have told you never to believe in what you saw through someone you called your friend here because it might tune to another thing and you will regret it at last. This transaction is purely our exercise and we don't want external body in it, let us do it the way we were sent so that we shall have result.
Keep your friend out of this because, you don't know who is who. We are here and we have seen and that is what I'm trying to let you understand and not that I'm a racist ok..
You need to hire the attorney and there is no way I can send the document to you through postal service because of the timing ok..
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:Hi Mr. Smith,
I have heard that in some African countries, but of course not only there, enormous corruption is commonplace.
Why is that? Why is it that money that goes there doesn't reach the people? How is it that corrupt politicians and other shadowy figures are lining their pockets and ordinary people "are falling by the wayside"? I wish so much that I could do something about this, that all this corruption would stop and that people on the African continent and elsewhere would be better off! I really wish that so much!!
Nevertheless, I still find it kinda strange that you would not trust my friend even if I gave him a PoA? That just came across as if you were rejecting him just because of his origin. Like I said before, trust him 100%. I have no reason not to!
Agent Smith, resignedly wrote:I think I have told you all you needed to hear as truth and meanwhile, let me face other jobs here. We can't work with your friend and that is our rules and ethics and that can't change ok.
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:Where did you read that I still insist on my friend getting involved?
I asked you some questions about the background in Nigeria, nothing else!
[July 8th, 2020]
Raquel wrote:Alright... how do you want me to hire the attorney then..?
Agent Smith wrote:Like I said, there is acreditted attorney here and I can give you his contact information if you permit me.
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:Yes, please!
Agent Smith wrote:
Raquel wrote:Mr. Smith, please stop fooling me. I am well aware that I have annoyed you with my questions, but please do not try to sabotage the whole thing now!
There is no law firm at the address you gave me, it's a church (GMaps) - or at least some kind of worship center! Does your lawyer not only preach in court, but also part-time to the lord, or what?!
Please give me the correct contact information. Thank you very much!
Raquel
Agent Smith, slightly angressive wrote:What is your problem Raquel? Does it mean that a whole building will contain only a law firm? What kind of nonsense is that?. There are structures and building you will see and it will contain some many offices and church a well.
At this juncture, I think I have to stop here, you have to wait and immediately after this Covid crisis,you have to come down here and handle this. I can't just understand your kind of person. So you mean that a structure can only contain a law firm. There are building you will see and it will contain different offices and church on the ground floor if you don't know.
I don't know who is deceiving you but you will regret listening to the bad adviser.
Regards
Agent Smith
Raquel wrote:My friend will look around there (not far from where he lives) and ask for Barrister Davies Sunny.
I'll get back to you!
Raquel
May be continued...Agent Smith wrote:I know that somebody is deceiving you...you will later know the truth about all in had advised you.